Gaming Guru

What Card Counting Does for You

At blackjack, card counting does two important things for you. First, it tells you when to increase your bet. For example, after keeping a count of the deck, if you know the next round will produce many high cards (such as 10s), you want to make a larger bet than normal. The opposite is, if you have been "counting" and you know that a lot of low cards are about to be dealt, then you would make the minimum bet allowed.

The second major thing is when you count cards you can adjust your playing strategy to compensate for what cards you expect to receive when the next round is played. For example, basic strategy tells you to hit 12 versus dealer's 2 or 3. If you know a lot of big cards remain in the deck, you would stand in this case. Let the dealer get the big card, and bust, you would win on 12.

These two things -- adjusting your bet and adjusting how to play a hand -- are what makes card counting such a powerful tool in blackjack. Which count you select is not that important. What is important is to learn a count, use it, and be accurate without mistake and comfortable with it.

John Marchel is an author, speaker, teacher and player -- what John plays are casino games. He’s been a casino player for over 25 years and has played successfully in Europe, Panama, the Caribbean, Canada, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, on Indian reservations, cruise ships and in over 350 casinos throughout the US. He is also the author of six books about gambling, and has written numerous magazine articles and is currently a columnist for three gambling magazines and one internet magazine.

Since 1988 John has combined his experience as a manager, teacher and player to present seminars and lectures about gambling. In addition, John has had an Internet website since 1995 that offers books, special reports and tips about gambling. He also publishes a monthly Internet gambling newsletter. The newsletter keeps subscribers alert to trends, information and winning techniques that allows them to be more successful when visiting casinos.

John Marchel Websites:

Books by John Marchel:

John Marchel is an author, speaker, teacher and player -- what John plays are casino games. He’s been a casino player for over 25 years and has played successfully in Europe, Panama, the Caribbean, Canada, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, on Indian reservations, cruise ships and in over 350 casinos throughout the US. He is also the author of six books about gambling, and has written numerous magazine articles and is currently a columnist for three gambling magazines and one internet magazine.

Since 1988 John has combined his experience as a manager, teacher and player to present seminars and lectures about gambling. In addition, John has had an Internet website since 1995 that offers books, special reports and tips about gambling. He also publishes a monthly Internet gambling newsletter. The newsletter keeps subscribers alert to trends, information and winning techniques that allows them to be more successful when visiting casinos.

Books by John Marchel:

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